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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In "Chapter 4," why does Karanja apologize to Mwaura?

2. In "Chapter 3," why is General R. interested in Karanja?

3. Why was Gitoko killed in the war?

4. Where does Mr. Thompson say his life as an administrator began?

5. In "Chapter 5," what does Mrs. Thompson think about while washing dishes?

Short Essay Questions

1. In "Chapter 7," what does the narrator say about Mumbi's feelings toward the Movement?

2. How does Mugo feel about giving speeches in "Chapter 6"?

3. In "Chapter 3," what makes Gikonyo want to visit with Mugo?

4. In "Chapter 7," what turning point in Kihika's life does the narrator describe?

5. What leads to Kihika's death?

6. How does Mr. Thompson help Karanja with the dog in "Chapter 4"?

7. How does Mugo feel about the land he receives, after leaving the detention center?

8. In "Chapter 4," what does the narrator say about trains?

9. How does Gikonyo's father throwing him and his mother out change him?

10. What brought Mr. Thompson to Africa?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Gikonyo's story is considered tragic by the narrator. Is Gikonyo tragic? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Consider the settings of village, detention/concentration camp and town. How does setting affect the characters who interact in these places?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the author's use of flashback in this novel. Several characters have flashbacks to the beginning of the Emergency and of the Movement. How does this device work? Is it effective or ineffective? Why?

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